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Losing baby teeth indicates that your child is maturing, and his permanent teeth are ready to erupt. Most kids have their first loose tooth at age 5 or 6, but it can happen when they are as young as 4 or as old as 8. Baby teeth rarely fall out too early on their own accord. Typically, they will fall out early only as a result of tooth decay or being knocked out. Losing a baby tooth too early can cause dental health complications such as serious crowding problems for the developing adult teeth, as well as negatively impact the jaw's muscle and bone development.
It generally takes a few months from the time a tooth becomes loose until it falls out. If a loose baby tooth remains in place for more than that, check with a Pediatric Dentist near me. Most loose teeth will eventually fall out naturally, without having to be forced. You should never attempt to pull a child's loose tooth by yourself. Doing so can easily damage tissue or leave parts of the bone still within the socket. Even worse, this damage could lead to an infection. Pulling a loose tooth before it is ready to come out on its own can break the root, leaving the gap more susceptible to infection and pooling bacteria.
Sometimes new teeth start growing in behind baby teeth because the permanent teeth form behind the roots of the baby teeth and sometimes they grow behind the baby tooth before it falls out. When this occurs most of the time no treatment is needed, nature usually takes care of the situation, but occasionally the baby tooth does have to be extracted (pulled). In this case, you should visit a friendly kid’s dental office in West Palm Beach.
The most common reason why permanent tooth does not erupt is because there isn't enough space for it. Baby teeth hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. If a kid loses a tooth early or have a baby (primary) tooth extracted due to dental decay, she or he may need space maintainer in order to keep space for the permanent tooth.
Space maintainers keep the space left after the premature loss of primary teeth. They keep the space open and allow the permanent tooth to erupt and come into place. They are made of metal and/or plastic and can be fixed (cemented) or removable.
Removable space maintainers are similar to orthodontic appliances and are usually made of acrylic. In some cases, an artificial tooth may be used to fill a space that must remain open for the unerupted tooth.
There are four different kinds of fixed space maintainers: unilateral, crown and loop, bilateral and distal shoe. The unilateral and crown and loop space maintainers are placed on one side of the mouth to hold space open for one tooth. Bilateral space maintainer is fixed to both sides of the mouth to hold space open for more than one tooth and it may be cemented to molar teeth and connected by a wire on the inside of the front teeth. Distal shoe space maintainer is usually used for an unerupted first permanent molar tooth.
The child should be seen by the Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach or orthodontist on a regular basis to monitor the progress of treatment with the space maintainer and continue to receive a regular six-month professional cleaning and checkup appointment with his/her Pediatric children dentist.
The tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized (96%) substance in the body. The primary mineral is hydroxyapatite, which is crystalline calcium phosphate.
The Enamel covers the outer layer of each tooth and it is the most visible part of the tooth. The normal color of enamel varies from light yellow to grayish (bluish) white. It plays a very important role in protecting your teeth from decay, so it is important to do everything that you can to prevent your enamel from eroding. It forms a strong barrier that protects the inner layers of your teeth from the effects of acids and plaque; it also protects the sensitive inner layers of your teeth from foods and beverages that are very hot or very cold.
If the enamel is destroyed, the body does not make more to replace it. It does not contain any living cells, so it cannot regenerate. You can protect your kid's enamel by avoiding foods that are known to cause a lot of damage. Sugars and acids from candies, soft drinks, and fruit juices play a significant role in tooth decay, and consequently in enamel destruction. Kid’s dentists recommend avoiding these foods for your child when you can, and if he/she consumes them, remember to brush her/his teeth thoroughly afterward. Very hard foods, like hard candy or ice cubes, can also damage your child enamel by causing it to crack or chip.
You can also protect your kid’s enamel by practicing good oral hygiene habits, like regular brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and visiting her/his pediatric dental professional in West Palm Beach for regular professional cleanings.
Fluoride is one of the best and safest ways we can prevent cavities for children. It helps rebuild (remineralize) weakened tooth enamel and reverses early signs of tooth decay.
All toothpaste helps remove plaque, a film of bacteria that forms on teeth and gums every day. Plaque can cause gum disease and tooth decay. In addition, fluoride toothpaste provides an extra benefit in preventing tooth decay by making tooth enamel stronger and more resistant to acid. It not only reduces the risk of cavities, it can even help reverse early signs of decay.
For children younger than 3 years, parents and caregivers should begin brushing children’s teeth as soon as they begin to come into the mouth by using fluoride toothpaste in an amount no more than a smear or the size of a grain of rice.
For children 3 to 6 years of age, parents and caregivers should dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Teeth should be brushed thoroughly twice a day (morning and night) or as directed by a Pediatric Dentist in West Palm Beach or Physician. Children’s brushing should be supervised to ensure that they use the appropriate amount of toothpaste and Monitor children! Make sure, they spit it out!
During treatment, some children squirm and may become difficult to control. This behavior is not unique to the dental office. Preschoolers frequently avoid Santa Claus at the shopping mall, or cry when the babysitter arrives.
Beginning your child’s dental examinations as early as six months of age stars building a caring and cooperative relationship between your dentist and your child. It is during the first eight months of life that your baby will learn to trust people, to know that they are being cared of.
You should not be surprise or embarrassed when your child does not cooperate in the dental office. The dentist and staff are experienced in coping with this behavior. Your pediatric dentist near me takes pride and please in helping children and shares your concern about your child’s oral health and emotional well-being. Inform your child dentist of any incident or condition that might be helpful in understanding the child’s behavior.
It is important that you and your kid pediatric dentist are able to support one another in managing your child’s behavior. Your child will gain confidence and develop the trust needed to become an enthusiastic participant in their personal dental hygiene and professional dental care.
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1037 S. State Road 7 Suite 215
Wellington, FL 33414